Ogdensburg Armory
Why it's listed
Built in 1898 at the corner of Elizabeth and Ford Streets, the Ogdensburg Armory is a fortress-like building of reddish-brown Potsdam sandstone on a rusticated limestone foundation. It combines a two-story administration building, anchored by round and octagonal towers with crenelated parapets, and a large gable-roofed drill shed at the rear. State Architect Isaac Perry designed it for the 40th Separate Company of the New York National Guard. Its massive proportions, arcaded entrance pavilion and towers show the influence of medieval military architecture and Richardsonian Romanesque design. The building was meant to serve as a drill hall, a social club for guardsmen and a civic monument. It is one of nearly twenty surviving armories attributed to Perry and is typical of his work for mid-sized communities. Original pressed metal ceilings, woodwork, furniture, drill shed floor and balcony survive. It remains in military use and is a local landmark.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a remarkably intact, representative late nineteenth century National Guard armory designed by State Architect Isaac Perry. It reflects medieval military and Richardsonian Romanesque influences and served as both a military facility and a civic monument. It is also significant for its association with National Guard and military history.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 95000088, listed March 2, 1995. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 225 Elizabeth St., Ogdensburg |
|---|---|
| County | St. Lawrence County |
| Listed | March 2, 1995 |
| Reference number | 95000088 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1898 |
| Architect / builder | Isaac Perry, State Architect |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian; castellated |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as an active military facility; the interior and drill shed survive with a high degree of integrity. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 44.69931, -75.48947 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 95000088.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7079960
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.